Cable sheath slide-back machine



y 1968 H. R. FOGLE ET AL 3,381,555

CABLE SHEATH SLIDE-BACK MACHINE Filed Dec. 23, 1966 HOWARD R. FOGLE ROBERT W. BRYANT RWW ATTORNEY.

INVENTORS.

United States Patent O ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A multiconductor cable having a protective sheath is held at one end by a gripping assembly. A traversing platform carrying opposed, freely rotating rollers is brought adjacent to the gripping assembly where the rollers are pneumatically forced against the cable sheath. The platform is traversed away from the gripping assembly compressing the sheath and exposing the conductors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a machine for sliding back the protective sheath on a multiconductor cable.

Interconnections between the units of a computer systern or other complex electronic apparatus are commonly made with large multiconductor cables having connectors at each end. Heavy rubber insulating and protecting sheaths cover the group of conductors in the cable. Assembly of a connector to the cable is performed by sliding the sheath back a few feet so that the individual conductors can be manipulated to join them to the connector. After the necessary connections have been made, the sheath is slid back close to the connector and potting of the connector-cable junction may be performed.

In the past the cable sheath has been slid back by securing the conductors at one end in a vise of some type and having several men tug on the sheath to slide it back. In a similar manner, the sheath is returned to its original position. Kinking, bending, or crushing of the cable which might damage the conductors must be avoided in the process; a requirement which has prevented the use of some obvious approaches.

SUMMARY It is an object of this invention to provide mechanical apparatus suitable for longitudinally displacing the sheath of a cable and returning it to position.

A gripping assembly incorporating pneumatically driven chucks (selected according to the size of the cable) is fixed at one end of the machine. One end of the cable is gripped in the chucks with the sheath out free just beyond the chucks. A traversing platform carrying opposed, freely rotating rollers is brought to a position adjacent the gripping assembly. The cable is brought between the rollers which are pneumatically driven against the sheath. The platform is then moved away from the gripping assembly causing the sheath to be compressed longitudinally and the conductors exposed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The figure is a schematic isometric of an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the figure, traversing platform 10 is mounted for longitudinal movement on supporting and guide rods 12. Rods 12 are secured in position at either end in fixed brackets 14 and 16. Brackets 14 are secured adjacent to gripping assembly 18, while brackets 16 are secured to the framework (not illustrated) at the other end of the machine. Slide bearings 20 secured to traversing platform 10 assure easy movement along rods 12.

Also secured to traversing platform 10 is drive chain 22 which passes around sprocket 24 located adjacent to, but below gripping assembly 18 to permit traversing platform 10 to be brought to a position adjacent to gripping assembly 18. Sprocket 24 is mounted for free rotation in bearings 26 which are secured to the framework of the machine. Drive chain 22 also passes around and is driven by drive sprocket 28, located at the other end of the machine. Drive sprocket 28 is rotated by shaft 30 which is connected to motor 32. Motor 32 is capable of driving drive sprocket 28 in both directions. Traversing platform 10 can, by the apparatus described above, be moved between a position adjacent to gripping assembly 18, and a position displaced from gripping assembly 18, a desired amount (within the limits of the machine).

Secured to the top of traversing platform 10 are beam guides 34 which guide and support beams 36. Piston rods 38 (the apparatus is similar on both sides of the center line of the machine so parts on both sides have not been illustrated in some cases) are secured to beams 36, and drive beams 36 toward and away from the center of the machine upon suitable manipulation of the controls for pneumatic cylinders 40. Limitation of the pressure in pneumatic cylinders 40 prevents the cable from being crushed.

Removably secured to beams 36 are roller supports 44 having rollers 46 mounted for free rotation therein. Several sets of rollers 46 in roller supports 44 are provided. The rollers 46 are selected for use based on the diameter of the cable to be handled. The assembly mounted on the top of traversing platform 10 can force rollers 46 against a cable placed between them, and retract rollers 46.

Turning next to gripping assembly 18, beam guides 48 are fixed to one end of the machine and are generally similar to beam guides 34. Beams 50 are guided and supported by beam guides 48, and are provided with pneumatic cylinders and piston rods (not illustrated) similar to those on traversing platform 10. Chuck supports 52 are secured to beams 50. Removable secured in chuck supports 52 are chucks 54 having semicylindrical cutouts in their faces. Several sets of chucks 54 are provided so that the size appropriate for the cable to be handled can be selected.

In operation, the sheath of the cable is cut circumferentially near (about one inch from) the end, but left in position to protect the conductors from chucks 54. Chucks 54 are selected to securely grip the cable without crushing or otherwise injuring the conductors. The end of the cable is then secured in chucks 54 and the cable extended down the machine and between rollers 46. Rollers 46 are selected to have a curvature conforming approximately with the sheath of the cable.

With rollers 46 retracted, traversing table 10 is brought to a position adjacent gripping assembly 18. Rollers 46 are then forced against the sheath-covered cable, and traversing table 10 is moved away from gripping assembly 18 two or three feet. The sheath of the cable is compressed longitudinally away from gripping assembly 18 by this action, exposing the conductors near the end of the cable. Rollers 46 are then retracted and traversing table 10 is moved to a position where rollers 46 can again be forced against the sheath of the cable near the exposed conductors. Traversing table 10 is again moved away from gripping assembly 18, exposing a greater length of the conductors.

The cycle may be repeated several times to expose a sufficient length of the conductors, say two feet, to permit manipulation of the individual conductors for the purpose of attaching a connector. With the connector attached,

the cable is returned to the machine. The cable is reversed, with gripping assembly 18 holding the sheathed cable some five feet from the end (beyond the point where the sheath has been compressed). The machine is then operated as before, except that now the sheath is returned to its initial position abutting the attached connector. Potting of the connector-cable juncture may now be performed.

The machine described enables one man to perform the operations of sliding back the cable and returning it to position. Moreover, the conductors in the cable are not kinked, bent, or crushed, avoiding potential and actual defects in the cable.

While a particular embodiment of a cable sheath slideback machine has been shown and described, it will be obvious that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A machine to slide back the sheath of a cable and to return the sheath comprising:

gripping means to grip the end of said cable,

a pair of opposed rollers mounted for free rotation,

traversing means to move said rollers between a position adjacent to said gripping means and a position displaced from saidgripping means, and

roller forcing means to force said rollers against said cable and retract them.

2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein:

said roller forcing means is a pneumatic cylinder.

3. A machine according to claim 2 wherein:

said gripping means is a pair of' chucks having serni cylindrical grooves sized to fit said cable.

4. A machine according to claim 2 wherein: said traversing means is a platform supporting said rollers and said roller forcing means. 5. A machine according to claim 4 wherein: said rollers are removably secured to permit use of rollers sized to fit said cable.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,929,285 3/1960 Gulemi 81-9.51 2,951,403 9/1960 Bunch et al. 819.51 3,044,334 7/1962 Broske 81-951 MILTON S. MEHR, Primary Examiner. 

